The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity in kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is driven by performance enhancement, regulatory compliance, fuel efficiency and emission reduction, and growing importance of technologies such as control systems and algorithms, integration with vehicle dynamics control, and energy storage systems. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in automotive: kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
300+ innovations will shape the automotive industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the automotive industry using innovation intensity models built on over one million patents, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, multi-spark ignition, integrated multi-motor drivetrains and vehicle auxiliary drives are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Solar range extenders, turbocharger shaft bearings, and multi-lamellar clutches are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are auto-transmission lubrication circuits and electroluminscent vehicle displays, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the automotive industry
Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is a key innovation area in automotive
A kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is an automotive system that recovers the kinetic energy generated by a vehicle during braking and stores it for future use as additional power to the engine. It is a hybrid automotive system that combines traditional internal combustion engines with electric motors to increase fuel efficiency and provide extra power when needed.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 130+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).
Key players in kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to kinetic energy recovery system (KERS)
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Robert Bosch Stiftung is one of the key patent filers in kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). Bosch’s advanced energy storage solutions focus on improving the energy storage capacity, efficiency, and lifespan of the components used in kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). The solutions incorporate advancements in battery technology, supercapacitors, or other energy storage mediums. The company’s innovations in materials and manufacturing processes aim to enhance the reliability and durability of kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) components, reducing maintenance needs and extending the system's lifespan. Some other key patent filers in this space include Denso and Mitsubishi Electric.
In terms of application diversity, Mitsubishi Electric leads the pack, while MITSUBA and Mahle stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Polaris held the top position, followed by Blackburn Energy and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
